4x5 or 8x10 not sure wich way to go/can replicate the look of an 8x10 shot wide open

If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Re: 4x5 or 8x10 not sure wich way to go/can replicate the look of an 8x10 shot wide o

Originally Posted by Tony Karnezis

I'm sorry to hear that, John. I don't want to come across as casual about radiation. I simply wanted to put the radiation emitted by lenses in perspective by comparing it to other exposures we willingly and perhaps naively accept as "safe." The more we have learned, the less radiation the medical field uses for imaging procedures. There was a time when X rays were deemed safe by "experts" and used for everything from acne treatment to even sizing your feet in a shoe store. Times have gladly changed, but perhaps not soon enough for you.

Thanks, but I am not talking ages ago. You guys in the medical field (I see you are) still have a long way to go to understand the ramifications of what you all do.

Re: 4x5 or 8x10 not sure wich way to go/can replicate the look of an 8x10 shot wide o

I used to have an aero ektar and I took it to the nuclear imaging lab at the hospital where i used to work to have it checked out. The radiation from that particular lens was scarcely above "background" radiation and over 6" away it was indistinguishable from the background radiation using the equipment that lab had (nor, IIRC were there any emissions from the rear cell) The type of radiation wasn't one of the bad kinds---but of course that can change during the course of time---so I kept it in a box I made from "wonderboard"--a cement impregnated fiber glass building material--until I eventually sold it.
It was an interesting investigation and if I ever have another lens made with lanthium glass cells, I'd go back and ask them to check it out for me (there was no charge as the lab techs really curious about that old lens!)

I steal time at 1/125th of a second, so I don't consider my photography to be Fine Art as much as it is petty larceny.

Re: 4x5 or 8x10 not sure wich way to go/can replicate the look of an 8x10 shot wide o

Originally Posted by John NYC

I am not going to argue with you or Corran about what is safe and what is not. You know why? You two are just theorizing about radiation. I am a person who has a permanent serious health problem directly due to radiation levels/sources that were deemed to be "safe" by all manner of experts.

Not happy to hear about the health problems, John. Sadly, that's the reality of things... how things like radiation affects us is very personal, at the end of the day.

Originally Posted by John Kasaian

I used to have an aero ektar and I took it to the nuclear imaging lab at the hospital where i used to work to have it checked out. The radiation from that particular lens was scarcely above "background" radiation and over 6" away it was indistinguishable from the background radiation using the equipment that lab had (nor, IIRC were there any emissions from the rear cell) The type of radiation wasn't one of the bad kinds---but of course that can change during the course of time---so I kept it in a box I made from "wonderboard"--a cement impregnated fiber glass building material--until I eventually sold it.
It was an interesting investigation and if I ever have another lens made with lanthium glass cells, I'd go back and ask them to check it out for me (there was no charge as the lab techs really curious about that old lens!)

Do you mean 6 feet? Because that's sort of what I got. The peak levels were in lower wavelength gamma. I don't want to quote numbers just yet.

Re: 4x5 or 8x10 not sure wich way to go/can replicate the look of an 8x10 shot wide o

Well... my younger brother (ok.. cousin for you, folks from States), died at age of 13. Last 3 months of his life he spent in bath, full of painkillers, b/c his spinal brain bit was slowly disintegrating and there was no cure for this. All b/c his father went and worked under presumably "safe" radiation levels, as contractor, to make some money before second kid to be started.. So, if there is someone in next house that gives up waves of whatever radiation level - i really really wish this person would see eyes of 13 year old kid dying for no reason..

Thats why i am saying that it might be next generation to pay. And i do plan to have kid or two more, so - i am steering away from that stuff as much as i can.

Re: 4x5 or 8x10 not sure wich way to go/can replicate the look of an 8x10 shot wide o

Originally Posted by SergeiR

Well... my younger brother (ok.. cousin for you, folks from States), died at age of 13. Last 3 months of his life he spent in bath, full of painkillers, b/c his spinal brain bit was slowly disintegrating and there was no cure for this. All b/c his father went and worked under presumably "safe" radiation levels, as contractor, to make some money before second kid to be started.. So, if there is someone in next house that gives up waves of whatever radiation level - i really really wish this person would see eyes of 13 year old kid dying for no reason..

Thats why i am saying that it might be next generation to pay. And i do plan to have kid or two more, so - i am steering away from that stuff as much as i can.

That is a sad story and an eye-opener of a sort.

Now I got to look more in to radiation's long term effects on the sperm generation and quality.

Re: 4x5 or 8x10 not sure wich way to go/can replicate the look of an 8x10 shot wide o

Thank you for the excellent suggestions and advice. It was very helpful and appreciated!

After giving it more thought, I think I will go for a compromise solution and get a 5x7 with a 4x5 back, so that I can try a larger format with a bit less bulk with the same camera. This way I can get started and see where things lead. I really prefer the 4x5 aspect ratio best, so I can upgrade to 8X10 if I like the look of the 5x7.
I spent a lot of time looking at more portraits on the site and find the 8x10 portraits more appealing.
I think to take full advantage of 8x10 I would set up a space to use it at home, where I can keep it set up. I would still use it in the field, but I can't see myself getting too far afield with it on my own without getting an assistant Things really start to add up when all the paraphernalia is taken into account.

I was thinking of renting, but I'm not sure I'd get a got enough of a feel for things in a short period of time.

Re: 4x5 or 8x10 not sure wich way to go/can replicate the look of an 8x10 shot wide o

5x7 would be a nice format, but which camera at which price?

If you are trying to keep your options open, weight down, and re-sale price up, then consider a Ritter 8x10 with reducing backs of whatever size you like. You would have some bulk relative to smaller formats but about the same weight.

You could use 8x10 at home, 5x7 out of the car, and 4x5 backpacking for example.